Watch the Tape: Miles Golden Bears

What happened Friday night is why exhibition games are important. The Miles Golden Bears came out of the gate making 11 of 15 three-point attempts in the first half to build a 46-39 lead at the break.

There were a lot of unknowns heading into the game because of the limited information available on the Golden Bears. Sometimes crazy things happen when you don’t really have a plan. However, that is why you play exhibition games. The Kentucky Wildcats will be prepared mentally and physically on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.

Much has been made of Kentucky’s 80-71 win over Miles. Obviously, that isn’t the score anyone expected prior to the game. Even as I warned Big Blue Nation of how good Miles was prior to tip-off, I still expected an easy 20-plus point win. The truth is, reading too much into preseason games is a fool’s errand. There just typically isn’t as much to take from them as people want there to be.

However, there are still important lessons to learn from the film. Let’s watch the tape together and figure out what went wrong against the Golden Bears.

Poor Communication Leads to 3

This first three-pointer hit by the Miles Golden Bears is frustrating for a few reasons. First of all, #13 Elijah Horton was one of the few players with a clear scouting report because he was on last season’s team. He is a guy that only wants to shoot three-pointers.

That held true as he went 3/5 from deep on Friday, the only shots he took all game. Kellan Grady should be staying tight to him at all times and chasing him off of the little downscreen.

However, he appears to try and get Oscar Tshiebwe to switch out and take Horton off of the downscreen. Coach Calipari is never going to want Tshiebwe having to switch out to take away a shooter. Kentucky will be best if Tshiebwe never goes beyond the three-point arc defensively.

This was just a mental breakdown by fifth-year senior Kellan Gray which is frustrating. However, again, that is why you play a couple of exhibition games.

Turnover Leads to Transition 3

Sometimes people talk about good defense leading to good offense. Well, that works both ways. Sometimes bad offense leads to bad defense.

On this play, Keion Brooks attempts to throw a lob pass to Tshiebwe. The pass bounces off the backboard and allows the Golden Bears to get out in transition. This is exactly how they want to play. Kellan Grady was put in an impossible spot on the defensive end and it led to the second made three-pointer for Elijah Horton.

Over-Helping Leads to 3

This one is tough. Sahvir Wheeler’s ability to pressure the ball and create turnovers is going to be a huge advantage this season. However, it also is going to lead to the Kentucky defense being put in precarious situations at times. When Wheeler goes for the steal and doesn’t come up with the ball, the ‘Cats are at a disadvantage. The Miles Golden Bears made Kentucky pay for their aggression this time.

As Daimion Collins gets older and plays more he will handle this situation better. He is guarding #22 Mykayle Carter who was scouted as a very good shooter. Collins needs to just stunt and fake at the ball handler and be quicker to recover to his man. That admittedly is a lot to ask of a freshman that isn’t comfortable yet guarding on the perimeter, however, that is why watching film is so valuable to young players. Giving up a couple of threes like this is going to happen when you allow Wheeler to pressure the ball.

Hopkins Bad Closeout

This is probably the most frustrating three-pointer of the first half so far. #4 Roger Davis just made a deep pull-up three the possession before. Here, they go to a “Horns” action meant to get him another look which works to perfection. This is simply a bad, lazy closeout by Bryce Hopkins. Especially when guarding a good shooter who just made one, you have to give a more aggressive closeout.

Wheeler to Grady 3

It wasn’t all bad on Friday night. On the offensive end, Kentucky showed some flashes of their new and improved shooting ability. The playmaking ability of Sahvir Wheeler is really a game-changer when surrounded by a bunch of guys that can shoot the basketball.

Here, Wheeler easily breaks his man down off the dribble to get a paint touch. Then, as he attracts help, Kellan Grady circles up on the wing for an easy catch-and-shoot three. That is beautiful offense.

3 Behind Flare Screen

I’m not sure how much scouting and film breakdown was done for the Miles Golden Bears. However, it is clear that assistant coach Jai Lucas had watched film because he was calling out this action immediately.

It is a really, really good play call by the Golden Bears coach. After coming off of the ballscreen and moving the ball ahead, #4 Roger Davis comes back off of a flare screen for a quick three. This is really tough to guard for TyTy Washington without having seen it on film. Washington runs into the screen leaving Davis open for his third three-pointer of the half. Not a ton you can do here, but it just shows the importance of watching film. Coach Lucas had it pegged, but he just couldn’t communicate it fast enough to save the day.

Bad Help by Grady Leads to 3

It is a little frustrating to see Kellan Grady, a fifth-year senior, on the receiving end of two first-half clips. This was just a really, really poor defensive decision by the Davidson transfer.

A staggered ballscreen leaves #33 Joel Logan, essentially a non-shooter, open at the top of the key. On the left-wing Grady is guarding #2 Truitt Spencer who was scouted as a shooter. At the very most when #33 Logan catches the ball you just give him a little stunt and fake until Lance Ware can recover. However, for Grady to completely leave a good shooter to go guard a bad one is a horrible decision. The mishap leads to the Golden Bears’ 11th three-pointer of the first half.